IN MEMORIAM:  Laurie Ann Pestar, 56;

Secretary At Cooperstown Elementary

SCHUYLER LAKE – Laurie Ann Pestar, 56, Cooperstown Elementary School principal’s secretary for many years, passed away at home on Saturday, June 16, 2018, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

She was born April 6, 1962, to Leslie and Ethel (Phoenix) Weir. Raised in Oaksville, Laurie grew up loving horses and developed an early appreciation of all things in nature. She graduated from Cooperstown Central School in 1980 and was happy meeting up with old classmates throughout her life.

After several years working as a waitress, Laurie got a job at her alma mater, Cooperstown Elementary. At first an aide, she eventually rose to principal’s secretary, which she held until her retirement in 2017. It was at work, and through raising her own three kids, that Laurie found her true passion in life: children. She loved spending time talking to all the students at CCS and made a point to stay informed about these children as they grew.

Laurie is survived by her husband Joe, with whom she was joined in marriage on Feb. 18, 2008. She and Joe enjoyed trips to Las Vegas and Pennsylvania, or simply hopped in the car and drove. Their marriage was a loving and caring one.

She is further survived by two sons, Eric Phillips and Jeremy Denmeade – her “boys,” as she called them, and they spent many days helping her in her garden and going on rides; a grandson, Thomas, whom Laurie raised after the death of her daughter Kristen in 2005; a granddaughter, Aubrey, and her mother Nicole Scanlon; sister Kim; brother Mark; several nieces and nephews; a special cousin, Judy, who held a sister-like place in Laurie’s heart; and her mother Ethel, with whom she shared a special life-long bond.

She was predeceased by her father Leslie, daughter Kristen, and sister Debbie.

Laurie will be remembered as a loving, caring soul who loved her many roles as wife, mother, daughter, grandma, co-worker and friend, among others. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to Catskill Area Hospice, whose employees (Amy and Ellen) provided excellent care and made Laurie’s last months and days peaceful.

A celebration of Laurie’s life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 14, 2018, at Fireman’s Field in Schuyler Lake.

Arrangements are under the care of Tillapaugh Funeral Service, Cooperstown.